Table of Contents East Asia Summit (EAS) UPSC Notes – Ultimate Guide to Members, Objectives & India’s Role” Trump & Putin
The East Asia Summit (EAS) is a crucial regional platform that brings together major powers and key stakeholders of the Indo-Pacific region. For UPSC aspirants, EAS is an important topic under GS-II (International Relations), as it reflects India’s Act East Policy and its engagement with ASEAN and other global players.
Objectives of EAS
- Promote peace, stability, and prosperity in East Asia.
- Encourage regional integration and community building.
- Address global challenges like terrorism, pandemics, climate change, maritime security.
- Strengthen ASEAN centrality in the regional security and economic framework.
Areas of Cooperation
The EAS has identified 7 priority areas for cooperation:
- Environment and Energy
- Education
- Finance
- Global Health Issues (including pandemics)
- Natural Disaster Management
- ASEAN Connectivity
- Maritime Security & Cooperation
The East Asia Summit (EAS) stands out as one of the key regional forums in the Indo-Pacific area. It gathers major powers and regional players to tackle political, security, and economic issues that matter to everyone involved. Background It was proposed by Malaysia back in 2005.
The inaugural Summit took place in Kuala Lumpur in 2005. While it’s not a formal treaty-based organization, it operates as a forum led by leaders.
Members 👉 18 Member States: ASEAN 10: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam.
Plus 8 others: India, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, USA.
India is one of the founding members. Objectives of EAS To promote peace, stability, and economic prosperity in East Asia. To encourage regional integration. To tackle both regional and global challenges (like climate change, maritime security, and terrorism).
To reinforce ASEAN’s central role in the Indo-Pacific. Areas of Cooperation Environment and Energy Education Finance Global Health (including Pandemic Response) Natural Disaster Management ASEAN Connectivity Maritime Security & Cooperation Importance of EAS for India It’s a key part of India’s Act East Policy.
It serves as a platform for engaging with major powers like the US, Russia, and China. It helps India balance out China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific.
There’s a focus on maritime security in the South China Sea. It enhances trade and investment relationships. Challenges The US–China rivalry is complicating consensus.
The political crisis in Myanmar is a concern. There’s a lack of binding commitments. Member states have diverging priorities. UPSC Prelims Pointers Established in 2005 in Kuala Lumpur. Members total 18 (10 from ASEAN + 8 others, including India).
It’s a regional forum, not a treaty organization. India is a founding member. ASEAN centrality is a core principle. UPSC Mains Pointers GS-II (International Relations):
The role of EAS in maintaining regional security. The significance of EAS for India’s Act East Policy. EAS as a platform for cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.
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